Frequently Asked Questions

What is an apostille and who issues it?

What is an apostille?

An apostille An apostille is a certificate that verifies the formal authenticity of an official document to facilitate its use in another country that is party to the Hague Convention. The process for issuing apostilles varies by country and document type, and is normally carried out by the designated competent authority in the jurisdiction where the document was issued. This authority may be a government agency, a foreign ministry, a ministry, or an administrative body authorized for this purpose.

In the United States, documents issued at the state level (birth certificates, marriage certificates, or educational degrees) are apostilled by the Department of State of the relevant state. Federal documents (such as FBI records or documents issued by federal agencies) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.

This link provides essential information on the changes to the authentication of Canadian documents following the entry into force of the Apostille Convention on January 11, 2024, including how to obtain an apostille, where to send your documents by province, and guidelines for using Canadian documents in countries that are not party to the Convention.

Can you handle getting my apostille for me?

We do not process apostilles directly, as the procedure involves different authorities depending on the type of document and the country where it was issued. However, if you need guidance on how to proceed, feel free to contact us. At Certradis, we’ll help you identify the competent authority to carry out the process and the general steps you’ll need to follow.

Does my document need an apostille?

Many documents intended for countries that are party to the Hague Convention require an apostille, depending on the procedure and the receiving institution. If the destination country is not a party to the Hague Convention, a legalization process may be required. If you are unsure whether your document requires an apostille, we suggest consulting with the relevant authority or contacting us for guidance.

Can I obtain an apostille online?

In some cases, it is possible to complete the apostille process online, but this depends on the authority that issued the document and the regulations of the corresponding country. For certain documents, the process may require an in-person appointment, particularly for documents issued by local authorities or specific institutions. We recommend that you check directly with the competent authority before starting the process.

What is a certified, authorized or official translator?

A certified translator is a highly qualified professional trained to perform certified translations used in various international procedures.

These professionals are authorized to produce certified translations that are commonly used before public and private institutions in different countries.

Our experts are committed to delivering the highest quality and accuracy in every translation, ensuring that your documents meet the formal criteria typically required for international procedures.

How long does a translation take?

We work to offer fast and efficient digital delivery on all our certified translations.

Most translations are delivered within 48 hours, once payment has been confirmed and all documentation has been received correctly.

How does it work?

  • Card payments (credit or debit): Payment confirmation is usually processed within a few minutes. From that moment on, we begin processing your request.
  • Weekends and public holidays: Processing and delivery times may be adjusted according to the business calendar.
  • Additional documentation or special cases: Some orders may require additional review depending on the type of document, language combination or volume requested.

If you need a priority translation, you can contact us before placing your order and we will review the available options.

How do I receive my translations?

You will receive your translations directly to your email in digital format (PDF) quickly and securely.

Which documents require a certified translation?

Various documents may require certified translation for submission in different international procedures before official authorities and institutions, in immigration, legal, academic, and commercial matters. These include, but are not limited to:

Official documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, criminal record certificates.
Academic documents: Diplomas, certificates of studies, academic records or transcripts.
Legal documents: Contracts, powers of attorney, wills, deeds.
Corporate documents: Financial reports, procedure manuals, intellectual property documents.

Do you offer volume discounts?

Yes. We value our clients and understand that large-scale projects require special handling.

We offer significant discounts on projects exceeding 50 pages, or large-scale projects (approximately 10,000 words or more).

These discounts help reduce costs and make our services even more affordable for large volumes of work. If you have a large project, we invite you to contact us to discuss the best pricing and delivery options.

Where are you based?

Our service is 100% online. This allows us to offer you our services no matter where you are in the world. We operate with a decentralized team and guarantee an agile service with fast turnaround times for digital documents. Documents are prepared by translators specialized in certified translations, and are therefore commonly used in domestic and international procedures. 

With us, you can count on an fast and efficient service geared toward international procedures.

How can I obtain an invoice for my purchase?

If you need a invoice or proof of payment for your purchase, you can now request it very easily. You just need to send an email to billing@certradis.com once your order has been placed.

In that email, please include:

  1. In the subject line, the order number you wish to invoice.
  2. In the body of the message, the intended use of the tax receipt and your billing details:
    • Full name or company name
    • Tax ID number (if applicable)
    • Full address (street number and interior/unit number, if applicable)
    • City or town
    • Zip code
    • Country
    • Email
    • Tax regime or category (if applicable)
    • Payment method used

If you prefer, you can attach your updated tax document or certificate of tax status, instead of writing out your billing details, which will help us speed up the process.

It is important to note that the issuance of invoices or receipts may be subject to the tax regulations applicable in each country, depending on the type of taxpayer, the intended use of the receipt, and each country’s regulations. In some cases, when it is not possible to issue an invoice for tax purposes, we can provide a simple receipt, if you need some form of documentation for your purchase.

Our billing team will follow up on your request as soon as possible.

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